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Stocks to move sideways ahead of key reports

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

STOCKS may move sideways this week ahead of scheduled data releases from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and as the country’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation continues to improve.

The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) lost 44.44 points or 0.63% to close at 6,906.86 on Friday, while the broader all shares index went down by 16.33 points or 0.37% to end at 4,338.52.

Week on week, the benchmark PSEi inched up by 16.74 points from its 6,923.60 finish on Oct. 1.

“The week started strong as investors welcomed the reports of an improving COVID-19 situation in the country, as well as cheering over the recently released inflation data for the month of September,” Timson Securities, Inc. Trader Darren Blaine T. Pangan said in a Viber message on Friday.

The PSA reported on Tuesday the country’s inflation print eased to 4.8% in September from the 4.9% recorded in August.

Meanwhile, the PSEi broke past the 7,000 level on Wednesday as COVID-19 infections in the country went below 10,000 last week. However, the index declined anew on Thursday and Friday due to profit taking.

For this week, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the market is awaiting the government’s decision on restrictions for the rest of the month as the pilot implementation of the Alert Level System in the National Capital Region will lapse this week, Oct. 15.

Mr. Ricafort said investors will also monitor the country’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

According to the Health department’s national vaccination dashboard, the country has administered nearly 48.93 million COVID-19 jabs, with over 22.87 million individuals fully vaccinated as of Oct. 7.

“Market sentiment could also be shaped by some election-related leads, in view of the filing of certificates of candidacy,” Mr. Ricafort added.

The filing of candidacy for the 2022 national elections ended on Friday, with 97 candidates vying for the country’s top post, 29 individuals seeking the vice presidency, and 176 filing for their senatorial bids, among others.

“Investors may be looking forward to the string of economic reports scheduled for release in the coming week, to get a clearer picture of the current state of the local economy,” Timson Securities’ Mr. Pangan said.

The PSA is expected to report August trade data this week. Meanwhile, the BSP will also be releasing latest data on the country’s gross international reserves and remittances from overseas Filipino workers.

“Moving to another week, nearest support may be placed at the 6,780 area, while resistance can be drawn at the 7,065 level,” Mr. Pangan added. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Metro might shift to ‘low risk’ class this month

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

MANILA, the Philippine capital and nearby cities might become at low risk from the coronavirus by the end of October amid decreasing infections, researchers from the country’s premier university said on Sunday.

Virus cases in the capital region have peaked at a seven-day average of 2,000, Octa Research Group fellow Fredegusto P. David told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

“Based on our criteria, the classification for the National Capital Region might shift to low risk by the end of October,” he said in Filipino. “We don’t see any threatening variant of concern that could enter the country. I think this trend will continue until Christmas.”

Hospital occupancy in Metro Manila is expected to decline he said. The entire country daily average could fall to less than 10,000 in the coming weeks from 11,000 now, he added.

The capital region now has a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reproduction number of 0.6, or the number of people infected by a single virus patient, while the positivity rate is 13%, Mr. David said.

He traced declining infections to herd immunity. At least half of the capital region’s adult population has been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the government on Sunday took delivery of 918,450 doses of the coronavirus vaccine made by Pfizer, Inc., the state-owned People’s Television Network said in a Facebook post.

The shipment was donated by the United States under a global initiative for equal access, it said.

The Philippines last week recorded daily virus cases of fewer than 10,000 for two straight days.

The Health department earlier cited a downtrend in virus cases in Metro Manila, even as cases increased in the Bicol, Mimaropa and Zamboanga Peninsula regions.

Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Ilocos Region remained at high-risk, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told an online news briefing on Friday.

Congressmen have criticized OCTA Research for what they called its inaccurate coronavirus projections. The group has said it uses data from the Department of Health.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday said it had approved American and Swiss-developed Ronapreve for the emergency treatment of the coronavirus.

The drug may be used for people aged 12 and above, FDA Director-General Rolando Enrique D. Domingo told an online news briefing.

Ronapreve could cut the risk of hospitalization and death from the coronavirus by at least 70%, he said, citing the results of initial clinical trials.

An inter-agency task force also cut the quarantine period for inbound travelers from countries with low to medium coronavirus infections.

Fully vaccinated travelers need only to undergo a five-day quarantine at a facility and five more days in their homes, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing on Friday.

The requirements for unvaccinated people are higher at seven days at a facility and seven days at home, he added.

Foreign passengers must pre-book their own accommodations for a quarantine period of at least six days for the fully vaccinated, and at least eight days for unvaccinated ones.

The old requirement was a 10 to 14 days of quarantine inside a quarantine facility.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said this was an “encouraging development for the country’s tourism industry.”

It would make travel more appealing to tourists, she said in a statement. “The faster we are able to adjust to this situation, the faster we can bounce back better and regain our position in the global tourism market.” — K.A.T. Atienza

Robredo needs wider support to win next year, analysts say

VP LENI OFFICIAL ROBREDO FB PAGE

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

VICE-PRESIDENT Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo has a better chance of attracting more votes by running as an independent candidate, but she needs broader support to beat the ruling party’s presidential bet, political analysts said.

“The vice-president’s campaign should prioritize inclusive strategies that will appeal to all colors,” media research expert Jay L. Bautista said in a Facebook Messenger chat at the weekend. “If she can go beyond a change in color then we will see improving numbers in future surveys.”

Ms. Robredo, who heads the Liberal Party, on Thursday filed her certificate of candidacy for president, ending months of speculation about her political plans for next year. She will run as an independent candidate.

She should reach out to undecided voters and people who criticize the government of President Rodrigo R. Duterte but do not identify with the opposition, said Victor Andres Manhit, president of think tank Albert del Rosario Institute for Strategic and International Studies.

“The challenge for her followers is to transform their enthusiasm into broader support across sectors, especially those who belong to class D and E,” he said.

Social media turned pink last week after Ms. Robredo announced her presidential bid wearing a pink ribbon pinned on a blue blouse. She was flanked by her two daughters who wore pink masks.

On Facebook, profile photos showed bright pink circles, while some showbiz personalities shared photos where they wore pink clothes.

“What we are witnessing are strong mainstream and social media coverage with her announcement, but the greater challenge is to translate and convert this into voter preference,” Mr. Manhit said.

Ms. Robredo’s ratings in opinion polls would probably improve in the coming months after she made her political plan official, Jean Encinas-Franco, a political science professor from the University of the Philippines, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“Now they can weigh on her candidacy clearly,” Cleve B. Arguelles, a political science lecturer at De La Salle University, said in a Messenger chat.

Her ratings could go up by as much as 5%, said Antonio Gabriel La Viña, professor of law and politics at the Ateneo de Manila University. “It could be more if this was not limited to a few social media bubbles.”

But Ms. Robredo should improve her campaign strategy to sustain the trend, Mr. Bautista said. She should also target voters outside the capital region and “go outside the realm of social media,” he added.

“They should know which voter segments they are weak in and which national issues they need to be identified with.”

Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso were the top three choices for president in Pulse Asia Research, Inc.’s recent poll.

Ms. Robredo and her supporters should capitalize on the Duterte government’s poor handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Mr. Manhit said.

She should also explain to ordinary voters how state corruption and the Duterte government’s ties with China could affect their daily lives, he added.

Ms. Carpio is seeking a third and final term as Davao City mayor but her father said she is running for President next year.

“Sara’s rating may be affected by the confusion generated on whether she is running or not,” Ms. Franco said.

The government’s approval rating fell across all national issues in September from a quarter earlier, including on fighting criminality, protecting migrant Filipino workers and defending Philippine territories, according to a Pulse Asia poll.

Ms. Carpio may substitute for Senator Ronald M. de la Rosa, the presidential bet of the ruling PDP-Laban, for as long as she becomes a party member. Parties have until Nov. 15 to substitute candidates who either withdrew, died or got disqualified.

For the Bangsamoro, choice of president would be a vote for region’s new transition leaders

MEMBERS of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, along with government officials led by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, raise the peace sign during their oath-taking ceremony in Malacañang on Feb. 22, 2019. — PCOO.GOV.PH

THE PHILIPPINE president who will be elected next year will have the power to appoint a new set of 80 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, who will lead the regional government for three years.

This is provided in the Congress-approved bill postponing parliamentary elections in the autonomous region. It is awaiting the signature of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who has previously expressed support for the extension of the transition period. 

The current transition leaders, appointed by Mr. Duterte based on nominations from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government as provided under the peace deal and the Bangsamoro Organic Law, will step down with him on June 30, 2022. 

The winning presidential candidate will then have a major hand in the course of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) until 2025, when the first parliamentary poll would be held in sync with the mid-term elections. 

Political analyst Ramos C. Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform in the Philippines, said the Bangsamoro needs a president who will be able to listen and negotiate through the complexities of a region that is undergoing political transformation.

“Generally, it’s all subject to negotiations because during the campaign, you will be able to talk to them, but of course they should be watched that they do not have hardline positions, and with a willingness to listen,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino during the Oct. 7 Alerto Bangsamoro radio program co-hosted by International Alert Philippines.

He said while the presidential candidates have yet to present a clear platform on the Bangsamoro, he noted that Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos could prove to be challenging given his father’s legacy of aggravating the unrest in Mindanao during the martial law period.

“I have suspicions that it will not be that easy during engagements if he wins… because the policies of his father before, President Marcos, was among the factors that worsened the situation in Mindanao,” Mr. Casiple said.

He also cited potential challenges with Senator Panfilo M. Lacson for his background as a top-ranking law enforcer.

Mr. Casiple said next year’s election opens many “possible negotations” concerning the BARMM and the interest of Mindanao as a whole. He stressed, however, that the overriding issues that would dominate people’s choices would be addressing the pandemic and its resulting economic downturn.

There were 2.173 million registered voters in the BARMM as of 2019, based on data from the Commission on Elections. Voter turn-out during that year’s mid-term election was 73.9% or 1.607 million.

LOCAL CANDIDATES
Meanwhile, the MILF, through its political party United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), is fielding local government candidates for the first time.

BARMM Interior and Local Government Minister Naguib G. Sinarimbo, in a post in Filipino on his Facebook page, said the party’s candidates aim to carry on with the regional government’s goals embodied in the peace agreement.

“The UBJP intends to transform the politics in Bangsamoro into one that is based on principle, platform and programs, and not on mudslinging, family, ties to power, and money,” he said.

The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the MILF and the government, signed in March 2014, paved the way for the creation of the BARMM in 2019. The establishment of a new autonomous region is part of the overall peace process that aims to address security, social justice, and economic development. — Marifi S. Jara

Storm Maring to bring strong rains, winds in northern PHL

TROPICAL STORM Maring, with international name Kompasu, will bring strong rains and winds in the northern parts of the country on Oct. 11 to 12, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

In Sunday morning’s update, PAGASA weather specialist Ezra Bulquerin said Maring was absorbing the remnants of tropical depression Nando, which has already weakened into a low pressure area. 

“That is why we expect strong rains and intermittent strong winds in northern Luzon on Monday to Tuesday,” Mr. Bulquerin said.

“The merger event (between Maring and Nando) has completed. The merger cyclone is forecast to gradually intensify and may be upgraded to severe tropical storm category within the next 24 hours,” according to the forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

With Maring’s wide berth, typhoon signal #1 was up in provinces in northern Luzon as well as in parts of the Visayas in central Philippines and in Northern Mindanao in the south

As of 10 a.m. Sunday, Maring was located 730 kilometers (kms) east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 85 kms per hour (kms/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kms/h. 

Its tropical cyclone winds extend outwards up to 750 kms from the center, according to PAGASA.

Meanwhile, damage to agricultural produce caused by tropical depression Lannie, which preceded Maring, amounted to P31.7 million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In its latest bulletin dated Oct. 8, the DA said damage to rice production totaled 1,377 metric tons (MT). A total of 1,953 farmers and 2,084 hectares of rice farms in Western Visayas were affected.

“The DA, through its regional field offices, is conducting further assessment and validation of damage and losses brought by Tropical Depression Lannie in the agri-fisheries sector,” the DA said.

Lannie is the 12th typhoon to enter the Philippines in 2021. It made 10 landfalls across northern Mindanao, Visayas, and Palawan before exiting on Oct. 6. — Marifi S. Jara and Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

CoA flags Court of Appeals for failing to submit monitoring reports for P59M worth of contracts

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

STATE AUDITORS said the Court of Appeals (CA) failed to properly monitor the procurement of supplies for its offices worth P59.228 million.

In its 2020 audit report, the Commission on Audit (CoA) said the CA did not prepare and submit procurement monitoring reports (PMR) and agency procurement compliance and performance indicator (APCPI) for 12 completed contracts.

The contracts involve security services, photocopying machines, and cybersecurity software, among others.

CoA cited that the failure to prepare the procurement reports was due to “unawareness” of the requirement and lack of capacity to prepare the documents, based on inquiry with the head secretariat of the CA’s bids and awards committee (BAC).

The commission also said that the list of complete procurements projects submitted as an alternative to the reports “does not support formal tracking and monitoring” and did not provide information on the progress of ongoing projects by the court.

“While the audit team acknowledges the predicament of the BAC Secretariat, we believe that accomplishing and submitting the PMR and APCPI provide the efficient tracing of specific procurements… as well as the identification of strengths and weaknesses in the Court’s procurement system,” auditors reported.

CoA has recommended for the CA to provide proper support to the BAC secretariat and possibly share the task of preparing procurement reports with the court’s Management Audit Division.

They also said that the BAC Secretariat should provide a more efficient and effective procurement reporting system that can function even during calamities or emergencies along with mandatory submissions of the PMR, APCPI, and the annual procurement plan.

Lawmakers from both chambers of Congress have sought to effectively transfer full responsibility of the procurement process to concerned government agencies with bills seeking to abolish the Budget department’s Procurement Service and the Philippine International Trading Corp. — Russell Louis C. Ku

8 hurt after MRT-3 train catches fire

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

A TRAIN COACH of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) caught fire near Guadalupe station Saturday evening, injuring at least eight people.   

The MRT-3 management said in a statement that the incident was reported at 9:12 p.m. with fire out declared at 9:51 p.m.

“At 9:31 PM, the fire brigade arrived at the area to suppress the fire. At 9:42 PM, mainline technicians were able to uncouple the two other cars from the defective car. At 9:51 PM, the defective car was declared clear from fire,” they said.

Eight people sustained bruises in their legs and arms from jumping off the train to the rail tracks.

In a separate statement published by MRT-3, maintenance provider Sumitomo Corp. said that “all angles are being thoroughly examined” on the cause of the fire and countermeasures are being taken to ensure safety of operations in the rail line.

Provisional service until Shaw Boulevard station was implemented following the incident. MRT-3 has since resumed full operations on Sunday which runs until Taft Avenue station. — Russell Louis C. Ku

Human rights home

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE URN containing the remains of Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Jose Luis Martin ‘Chito’ Gascon is brought on Oct. 11 to the CHR office, where daily masses will be held for the wake until Oct. 16. Mr. Gascon passed away on Saturday due to COVID-19 complications.

San Miguel routs TnT in Game 4

MO TAUTUAA and the San Miguel Beermen routed the TnT Tropang Giga, 116-90, in Game Four of their best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series on Sunday to level the affair at two games apiece. — PBA IMAGES

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE San Miguel Beermen routed the TnT Tropang Giga, 116-90, in Game Four of their best-of-seven Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup semifinal series on Sunday to level the affair at two games apiece.

San Miguel used a fiery opening half where it took control on both ends of the court to establish a commanding 27-point lead, 57-32, at the break.

It continued to pound on the Tropang Giga in the second half, stretching its advantage to its highest at 37 points, 81-44, at one point in the third quarter en route to the big victory.

Mo Tautuaa led the Beermen’s thorough attack, finishing with a game-high 25 points, 19 coming in the telling first half where they buried the Tropang Giga, to win player of the game honors. He also had nine rebounds.

Terrence Romeo added 16 points for San Miguel, with Marcio Lassiter and June Mar Fajardo each scoring 13 points.

“We wanted to have a strong start. In the first three games, we played catch-up throughout and we did not want that to happen in this game,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria in the postgame press conference, describing the mindset they had entering the contest.

“We also worked on our defense. It was important for us to limit the offense of TnT to give us a better chance of winning,” he added.

But Mr. Austria was quick to point out that they should not celebrate much as there are still games left to be won and that the Tropang Giga are only expected to come back stronger and more determined.

For TnT, it was Jayson Castro who top-scored with 15 points, followed by Glenn Khobuntin with 13 and rookie Mikey Williams with 11.

Roger Pogoy struggled all game long for the Tropang Giga, finishing only with two points on a poor 1-of-10 shooting from the floor.

Making matters worse for TnT was big man JP Erram unable to finish the match after suffering a head contusion in the second quarter and was taken to the hospital for further tests. He had three points, two rebounds and one block before getting hurt.

Game Five of the San Miguel-TnT Philippine Basketball Association semifinal series will be on Wednesday, still at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Volleyball young gun Belen savors chance to showcase talent with national team

PHILIPPINE volleyball pool member Mhicaela Belen is grateful for the chance to play for the national team and is looking to build on it moving forward. — AVC/EDDY PHONGPHAKTHANA

UP-AND-COMING volleyball star Mhicaela Belen had it eventful in the recently concluded 2021 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Thailand, something she said she is grateful for and looking to build on moving forward.

The youngest player on the Philippine team at 19 years old, Ms. Belen, a star at National University, made her national team debut as part of the Rebisco women’s team in the Club Championship.

She was one of the bright spots for Rebisco in a campaign which proved to be rough for the team, which went winless in five matches, but nonetheless lesson-filled.

Outside hitter Ms. Belen averaged seven points throughout the competition, including a 13-point showing in the team’s opening game in Pool B against eventual champion Altay of Kazakhstan.

“I am both blessed and honored that I was given the chance to be part of the national team that gave me the opportunity to play with some of the country’s great and respected players,” said Ms. Belen on the eve of the Philippine delegation’s flight home from Nakhon Ratchasima.

“As the matches progressed, I had my fair share of the team’s ups and downs, but through it all, the experience was very fulfilling,” she added.

And the development continues for her, Ms. Belen vowed, as she looks forward to more opportunities to grow her game and play for flag and country.

“I believe that there is always room for improvement for someone who is willing to learn and after the recent tournament, I know that my skill set is not yet sufficient; thus, I will continue to work hard to improve my attacks and my defense particularly my blockings,” she said.

“I aim for perfection and I have a passion for volleyball.. I will continue to grind and seek support and advice on how to better my game and with that, I am confident that I will be another force to be reckoned with.”

MEN’S CAMPAIGN
Meanwhile, the Rebisco men’s team is currently competing in the 2021 Asian Club Volleyball Championship also in Nakhon Ratchasima.

It dropped its first two assignments against Iran’s Fooland Sirjan Iranian, 0-3, on Oct. 8, and Uzbekistan’s AGMK, 1-3, on Oct. 9 to fall to the bottom of the five-team Pool B.

The team was looking to regain some ground in a matchup Qatar’s Al-Arabi later on Sunday.

The ongoing tournament is the Dante Alinsunurin-coached squad’s first international competition since its historic silver medal finish in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila.

In the Club Championship, the top two teams in each pool after the preliminaries will make the semifinals. The winner of the week-long tournament, meanwhile, will qualify for the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Volleyball Men’s Club World Championship in a venue to be announced later.

The Rebisco men’s and women’s teams as well as the Choco Mucho women’s squad, which also saw action in the Club Championship, were assembled by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF). The federation is using the continental club competition as part of its plans to shore up its national team program. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Yuka Saso still in the mix at Cognizant Founders Cup

FIL-JAPANESE Yuka Saso — REUTERS
FILIPINA golfer Yuka Saso ascended to joint second with a 4-under 67 in the penultimate round of the Cognizant Founders Cup in New Jersey, to stay on track for her second LPGA title. — REUTERS

FILIPINA golfer Yuka Saso was still in the mix at the Cognizant Founders Cup at West Caldwell, New Jersey, after the third round on Saturday (Manila time).

The Philippine Olympian, who is also the reigning US Women’s Open champion, ascended to joint second with a 4-under 67 in the penultimate round of the tournament being held at the Mountain Ridge Country Club, to stay on track for her second Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) title.

Entering the final round set for later on Sunday, 20-year-old Ms. Saso had a total of 9-under 204, four strokes down leader Jin-Young Ko of Korea (13-under 200).

At joint second with Ms. Saso were Korean So Yeon Ryu and Americans Elizabeth Szokol and Lindsey Weaver.

In the first two rounds, the Philippine bet carded scores of 67 and 70.

Ms. Saso is looking to improve on her joint 19th-place finish in the ShopRite LPGA Classic also in New Jersey last week.

Since winning the US Women’s Open in June, Ms. Saso, the seventh-ranked women’s golfer in the world, has been consistently finishing inside the top 40, including three in the top five, in LPGA tournaments she has competed in.

In the Olympics in August, she finished joint ninth. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Braves shut out Brewers behind Max Fried, even up NLDS

MAX Fried allowed three hits over six scoreless innings and the Braves mustered enough timely hitting for a 3-0 victory over the host Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, sending the National League Division Series (NLDS) to Atlanta tied at a game apiece.

“We’ve got two at home,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “So, we like our chances. Obviously, we like playing at home. So we’re going to go back to Atlanta and get ready for this stretch and try to win the best two out of three.”

Fried was in control throughout, yielding singles in the second and fourth, and a two-out double to Willy Adames in the sixth. Fried, who won his last seven decisions to finish 14-7, struck out nine with no walks.

“I think the last year’s postseason experience probably was great for him today,” Snitker said. “You can just see Max. I mean, as the game wears on, I mean he just feeds into it. I mean he’s, like you say, really good. He’s been really good for a long time now.

“And it was fun to watch. He’s fun to watch when he’s got it going, because he pitches. I mean, he’s got the arsenal, the assortment, spins the ball so well. And it was a great outing.”

Milwaukee had two runners on in each of the three final innings, but failed to convert.

“Yeah, gave ourselves a chance,” Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich said. “And that’s what you want in those situations when you’re chasing a few runs. Just give yourself a chance to tie it with one swing of the bat. And it didn’t really work out for us tonight. But it happens. We kept after it, kept putting the pressure on them and they did a good job making pitches when they had to.”

Atlanta, whose only run in Friday’s 2-1 opening loss came on Joc Pederson’s pinch-hit homer in the eighth, bunched three consecutive hits for two runs in the third inning off Brandon Woodruff.

Jorge Soler doubled with one out and Freddie Freeman followed with an RBI single to right. Ozzie Albies then doubled off the top of the wall in right.

Austin Riley, who had 33 homers during the regular season, put the Braves up 3-0 with a 428-foot solo homer to right-center with one out in the sixth.

The Brewers threatened in the seventh when Luis Urias singled with two outs and Lorenzo Cain walked, but Tyler Matzek relieved and struck out pinch-hitter Tyrone Taylor.

Jace Peterson walked and Kolten Wong singled to open the Brewers eighth, but Matzek retired the next three.

Will Smith, who converted 37 of 43 save opportunities this season, allowed a walk and single to open the ninth, but got a fly out and double play for the save.

Milwaukee again offered little support for Woodruff, who was 9-10 despite a 2.56 ERA that was fourth-best in the majors. Woodruff allowed three runs on five hits in six innings, striking out seven and walking one.

“I thought it went well,” Woodruff said. “Runs matter in the postseason. You can’t always be perfect. Basically, two pulled change-ups. Albies did a good job. It was well below the zone, and he was able to get a barrel on it.

“And the one to Riley kind of just stayed middish and that’s kind of what he hits really well. And it was not executed. So, you tip your hat to them. They put up some good at-bats.”

Rowdy Tellez’s two-run homer on Friday accounted for the only Brewers runs in the two games.

The series resumes on Monday in Atlanta. Right-hander Ian Anderson (9-5, 3.58 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Braves, while Milwaukee has not named a starter. Right-hander Freddy Peralta (10-5, 2.81 ERA) has been the Brewers usual third starter. — Reuters

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